Pennsylvania

After months of turmoil and uncertainty, Philadelphia's resource-starved schools finally caught a break: a new, stable source of funding. The Pennsylvania state senate authorized a city-level $2-per-pack cigarette tax that will raise $170 million for the city's schools each year.

Because Pennsylvania still lacks a fair school funding formula (and because state policymakers won't prioritize funding for Philadelphia's schools), parents, students and teachers kicked off the school year in the most appropriate way possible: with a week of protests and a voter registration drive!

State lawmakers in Pennsylvania failed to pass a cigarette tax that would have provided much needed funds for Philly's schools. Instead, the school year will begin with $32 million in budget cuts, leaving schools without janitors and 7,500 students without transportation to school.

Advocates and organizers in Philadelphia came close to scoring a victory for the city's public schools – only to have legislative tinkering get in the way.

Media Mobilizaing Project's four-part video series highlights the dedicated educators, parents and community members who are working to improve Philadelphia's schools and continue the fight for better resources for all students.

Hundreds of parents, students and teachers protested in Philadelphia yesterday outside a joint fundraising event for PA Gov. Tom Corbett and NJ Gov. Chris Christie. The protesters are fighting against the education policies of the two governors, which have starved public schools of funding and left students without access to resources like full-time school nurses.

Students, parents and teachers in Philadelphia will protest Pennsylania Gov. Tom Corbett and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at their joint event at the Union League, 140 South Broad Street, on Monday, June 9th. Join us and take a stand for full funding and community control for public schools!

The Philadelphia Student Union, an OTL Campaign ally, has had an eventful school year organizing for educational justice in Philly and nationwide. Check out this recap of their great work this past year!

For the second time this school year, a Philadelphia student died after falling ill at school. Due to budget cuts, neither school had a nurse on duty. Organizers in Philadelphia are calling for the resignation of city officials unless they can provide the full school funding necessary to put a nurse in every school.